tidy
/ˈtaɪdi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtaɪdi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtī-dē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtaɪ.di/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtaɪ.di/ (ame, ipa)
tidy — adjective
1. with all items placed in their proper position and nothing left out of place; al
with all items placed in their proper position and nothing left out of place; also describes a person who prefers their surroundings to be well ordered
Niran's desk was neat and tidy with every book standing on its shelf.
collocation: neat and tidy
Jiwoo always keeps her desk tidy before leaving the office each evening.
The kitchen looked clean and tidy after Nala finished washing the dishes.
Gita is a tidy person who folds her clothes and places them in drawers.
The librarian pushed the tidy cart of returned books toward the sorting room.
- neat
very similar, slightly more common in American English for describing a person's appearance or habits
- orderly
suggests systematic arrangement according to rules or logic; more formal
- organised
emphasises planning and structure rather than just appearance; also used for schedules and events
- well-kept
describes a place that is carefully maintained over time
用法筆記
Can describe both a physical space ('a tidy kitchen') and a person's nature ('a tidy person'). Frequently paired with 'neat' and 'clean' as fixed expressions.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe a sum of money that is surprisingly or impressively big
used to describe a sum of money that is surprisingly or impressively big
Selling the old apartment earned the Chen family a tidy profit.
collocation: tidy profit
Christopher was surprised by the tidy sum his aunt left in her will.
collocation: tidy sum
The coffee shop made a tidy amount from the new breakfast menu this year.
The renovation project cost the primary school a tidy sum that surprised the board.
- substantial
more formal; can be used in business and legal contexts
- considerable
suggests the amount is noteworthy in size; neutral register
- sizeable
similar meaning but slightly less formal
- modest
describes a small or moderate amount, opposite of surprisingly large
用法筆記
Almost always appears with nouns related to money: 'sum', 'profit', 'amount', 'income', 'fortune'. Not used with general nouns like 'house' or 'car'.
常見錯誤
tidy — noun
1. a small box or holder with sections, designed to keep small items organised and
a small box or holder with sections, designed to keep small items organised and out of the way
Adina keeps her pens and paper clips in a small desk tidy on her table.
collocation: desk tidy
The car tidy next to the driver's seat holds sunglasses and loose change.
collocation: car tidy
A sewing tidy with separate pockets helps Omar organise buttons and thread.
Nala bought a wooden desk tidy with three drawers for her home study.
用法筆記
Typically followed by a modifier specifying the location or purpose ('desk tidy', 'car tidy', 'sewing tidy'). Not used as a standalone count noun without context.
常見錯誤
tidy — verb
1. to move things back into their correct positions so that a room, desk, or other
to move things back into their correct positions so that a room, desk, or other space becomes clean and well ordered
Liam tidied his bedroom before his grandparents came to visit.
transitive: tidy + room / space
Shanti spent the morning tidying the garage and throwing out old boxes.
The children were told to tidy their toys away before dinner every night.
Andrés tidied the kitchen counter and wiped down the stove after cooking.
Chiara tidies her desk for a few minutes at the end of each workday.
- straighten up
informal phrasal verb; suggests quick, light arranging rather than deep cleaning
- clear up
focuses on removing clutter rather than arranging items neatly
- neaten
less common; used mainly in American English for small adjustments
- mess up
to make a place untidy or disorganised
用法筆記
Often used with the particle 'up' ('tidy up') to emphasise completing the action. The phrasal verb 'tidy away' is specifically British and requires a direct object — you tidy away things, not places.